“Promise me you'll always remember:
You're
braver than you believe,
and
stronger than you seem,
and
smarter than you think.”
A.A. Milne
Do you ever write a post and send it out feeling generous and wise, only to realize you wrote it for yourself?
I just noticed that I do this.
I just noticed that today, I feel like a small turtle on a giant finger. The finger is all the forces beyond my control—those having to do with jobs, security, relationships. These forces could be negative thinking, fear, or blame—all patterns I fall into that bite me in the hiney.
Alternately, the finger could be a big benevolent power greater than myself. God. The dharma. The universe. Whatever one chooses to call it, the hand I sit in can crush and rescue.
Smallness feels like confusion and sorrow. Not understanding where to put one’s flippers. What’s in that water over there? If I jump, will I learn to swim?
I think that I will.
Note to self, and anyone else who feels small: Promise me you’ll always remember. Braver, stronger, and smarter.
Something we should never forget, but so easy to let slip away when we are feeling overwhelmed or frightened.
ReplyDeleteAt least that turtle has a hard shell.
~Lorna
____________________________________
That is a fabulous picture and quote! I took one of a turtle not too much bigger than that after Hurricane Ike last year, my dad found him under a rock a day or so after the water covered their backyard for hours. Love those little feet!
ReplyDeleteAwwwwwwwwww!!!!
ReplyDeleteI want that turtle!!!
;^)
Thank you, Sweet Sallymandy!
;^)
Love this poem. It is a good seque to the question you asked on the previous post.
ReplyDeleteLife became much more complicated than our mothers'. I worked all my life outside the home; housekeeping came after a hard day on my feet. I devised all kinds of ways to cope. I felt guilty about things I had no control over. Only after I retired I came to my senses. Housekeeping is for those who live in the house.
Complicated - life is just complicated!
ReplyDeleteI find I struggle almost constantly not to fume with resentment at having to need money to live. At times it all seems to come down to money - it's amazing what we give up for it. Because what else can we do? Grrrr.
ReplyDeleteA tough one. Keep smiling.
The turtle is truly so cute.;))
ReplyDeleteI think that most posts that we write are in some ways a reflection of ourselves; this includes our worries, our dreams, our thoughts and perhaps also a summary of our life experiences, which might result in advices, that we offer to others, but also to ourselves.
Blog is after all an online dairy; with the difference that it is read by others, not just ourselves.
As the Irishman tells me at all times when I ask him for opinion about some of my posts:
"It is your blog; you can write about anything you like and about anything you feel and think."
The poem is lovely and so are your posts, at all times.;))
Sallymandy, please make sure to stop by my place tomorrow (Thursday). There is an award combined tag waiting for you, hope you will accept.;))
xo
Z
I promise.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
You are a gift to the blogosphere! Keep on keepin' on!
ReplyDeleteThank you for starting my day with
ReplyDeletejust the reminder I needed !
The tiny turtle pic is the embodiment of vulnerability .... .
Judith
You are both the hand and the turtle---you aren't just one. And, you are more than that. But, yes, I know that feeling of vulnerability and smallness. Lately I am definitely feeling turtle like only I am not so sure I have a shell.
ReplyDeleteI am convinced you wrote this for me to read right now this very minute. How powerfully simple...pure wisdom wrapped in eloquence.
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
I haven't anything to add to all the above comments. You've hit it on the head with this one obviously!
ReplyDeleteYou might be writing for yourself but it is a gift to the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what many others have commented here. we write what comes up out of us, what ever it may be. happy, sad, struggles, families, comedy. it is what ever we want to share.
ReplyDeletegreat post!
Remember that the tiniest of turtles is still the best swimmers ;)
ReplyDeleteHmm, maybe this is my problem, I feel small and I blame it on the economy, too much competition, bad timing, a lot of things. I should try a thought experiment. I am too big for this world, everyone wants my artwork, life is too generous to drink it all in...
ReplyDeletePS love the A. A. Milne poem. So sweet and open heartedly generous.